Cascador Nigeria recently hosted its 2025 Pitch Day, a platform for mid-stage entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and secure funding. The event saw Nigerian startups Sycamore, Drive45, Crop2Cash, and 24Seven emerge as standout winners, collectively securing over ₦4 billion in financing. These startups are making significant strides in various sectors, with a focus on driving impact and sustainability in Nigeria.
Crop2Cash, founded in 2018 by Michael Ogundare, Emem Essien, and Seyi Alabi, is an agritech startup that provides smallholder farmers with digital banking, credit, insurance, and agricultural inputs. With a user base exceeding 400,000 across 15 Nigerian states, Crop2Cash is empowering farmers to improve productivity and manage their supply chains effectively. The startup has received funding from various organizations and was named the Best Agritech Startup at the Art of Technology Lagos Awards in 2021.
Sycamore, founded in 2019 by Babatunde Akin-Moses, Onyinye Okonji, and Mayowa Adeosun, is a fintech startup that connects lenders and borrowers through peer-to-peer lending, addressing the credit gap in Africa. The platform has evolved to provide asset management services and has received funding from the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation. With over 300,000 users, Sycamore is making credit more accessible for individuals and businesses in Nigeria.
Drive45, founded in 2021 by Seyi Adefemi and Soumobroto Ganguly, is revolutionizing vehicle ownership in Nigeria with its unique subscription model. The startup offers affordable and flexible vehicle financing options, allowing users to access brand-new and pre-owned vehicles without the financial burden of purchasing outright. Business clients like Olam, Tolaram, and Eko Electricity Distribution Company have already benefited from Drive45’s subscription service, enabling them to focus on their core operations while the startup handles fleet management and maintenance.
24Seven, founded by Olufemi Idowu, is a logistics startup that operates as an asset-light marketplace, allowing small businesses and convenience stores to order inventory on credit with one-hour doorstep delivery. The platform has facilitated over $5 million in recorded sales and serves more than 4,000 retailers, with a focus on empowering women entrepreneurs. 24Seven’s innovative approach streamlines the procurement process and ensures efficient last-mile delivery, addressing the challenges faced by small retailers in accessing timely and affordable stock replenishment.
Overall, these startups are driving innovation and impact in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, with a focus on sustainability and inclusive growth. The funding secured at Cascador Nigeria’s Pitch Day will enable them to scale their operations and continue making a positive difference in their respective sectors.
